Editorial

There is no doubt that by embracing advances in technology we will continue to transform primary care and perhaps manage our time better. A convenient and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) platform has just written a very coherent, on message, if rather dull editorial for me in about 10 seconds. It usually takes me a bit longer and the output is often just the latter. In this issue Damien Herron offers some good advice on managing our time better and perhaps unsurprisingly, this includes better use of technology.

It is my role here to add the human touch. Of course, we know primary care is the backbone of any healthcare system and crucial in promoting the health and well-being of the population. I had this confirmed after just 1 second under the editorial’s heading, chosen by the Great One, ‘Transforming Primary Care for a Healthier Future’. After 2 seconds and again, not a surprise, the Great One places ‘Embracing Technological Advancements’ first on the list of the five transformative changes needed. Transformative opportunities in telemedicine, remote monitoring, medical records and digital health applications will enhance access, efficiency and patient engagement providing personalised care, empowering patients and improving overall healthcare outcomes. Well, you would say that wouldn’t you? We are now approaching 3 seconds and I see the headings ‘Promoting Multidisciplinary Collaboration’, ‘Prioritizing Preventive Care’, ‘Enhancing Training and Education’ and ‘Strengthening Patient-Centred Care’ emerging down the page, interspersed with suitably concise, dull, but coherent text. The latter is important because: ‘Patient-centeredness lies at the heart of primary care. It is essential to ensure that patients are active participants in their healthcare journey. Engaging patients in shared decision-making, respecting their values and preferences, and fostering open communication will strengthen the provider–patient relationship, improve treatment adherence, and enhance patient satisfaction. By placing the needs and perspectives of patients at the forefront, primary care can truly deliver care that is personalized, compassionate, and effective.’

Well so far, so good. And what is my, sorry, our, conclusion, O Great One? ‘The time for transformative changes in UK primary care is NOW. By embracing technology, promoting collaboration, prioritizing prevention, enhancing training, and strengthening patient-centeredness, we can create a primary care system that is future-ready and capable of delivering optimal health outcomes for all. As stakeholders in the healthcare sector, let us work together to shape a primary care landscape that is resilient, innovative, and dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our communities.’ ‘NOW’, just for the record, bit picky really, was before 2021.

So, what of this particular issue? Didn’t factor that in I’m afraid. I am new to the platform you see. In case you were wondering we have great articles on hypercalcaemia by Helen Turner and Vitamin B12 deficiency by Claire Hemingway to help you with those odd blood results. Catherine Bell takes us through neurodiversity in the general practice workforce with essential advice on where to get informative, effective support. Gurpreet Bhamra gives an excellent account of drug-induced psychoses to assist assessment and management of this distressing presentation. Owen Hibberd et al. take us through the management of patients with type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder. Complexity is the order of the day and this article exemplifies how multimorbidity presents difficult challenges for patients, families and their doctors

Well, I’ve dragged it out a bit. Please accept my humble, human apologies for mucking about yet again and spinning this out from 10 seconds to 15 minutes. It’s what we do. Introduce some humanity, humour, delay and dare I say, a bit of art? (OGO: ‘Not again, please’). But what have we here? A platform that can produce paintings in the style of whichever artist you choose. From before 2021, of course. I took it up in 2023, don’t you know? So far, so safe and languishing or basking in a sea of human error and idiosyncrasy. And good fun for that. Submit your own piece of idiosyncratic, post-2021 wisdom to us at the usual address before it’s done for you in 10 seconds.

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